When Kate (Reicher) DeProsperis ran cross country and track during her Lyons Township career, she enjoyed some success. She had no inkling whatsoever back then, however, that she would ever accomplish what she did Dec. 4 at the California International Marathon in Sacramento, Calif. (via lagrange.suntimes.com)

You do not have to invest an extraordinary amount of time to appreciate how talented a runner Garrett Sweatt is. (via STLtoday.com)

Kirby Hale’s favorite cross country courses are the ones where she rarely raced. (via http://www.sj-r.com)

MANLIUS - Two days, two Division I athletes. Bureau Valley senior Derrick Johnson made it official today, choosing Eastern Illinois University to continue his cross country and track careers. Classmate Kimi Sanden, as reported in today's BCR, committed to ISU on Tuesday. (via www.bcrnews.com)

MANLIUS — The Sandens may not get their White Christmas, but it’s certainly going to be a red one. (via www.bcrnews.com)

In this second episode of The Fit Runner our host is Tara Gidus, aka the "Diet Diva" and nutritionist to the Orlando Magic. She gives us some solid meal and hydration ideas for before, after, and during a run. This is the latest episode in our series on being a fit runner.

According to reports, when legendary Swedish miler Gundar Hagg was 18, he suffered a bout of pneumonia so bad he was told to avoid all future exercise.(via Running Times)

Former Olympic distance runner Craig Virgin, 56, has had to overcome a series of injuries and ailments. (via STLtoday.com)

Qualifying for the Foot Locker National Cross Country Meet was one of the greatest experiences I have yet to have in my running career. Ever since the first time I heard about this meet, I knew that I wanted to take part in it and compete with runners that have the same love of the sport as I do

Beecher High School standout Grant Nykaza talks about his experience at Foot Locker Nationals. The junior finished 33rd out of 40 of the nation's top runners.

The Foot Locker Championships invite the best high school cross-country runners in the nation to San Diego each year. This year, at San Diego's Balboa Park, four Illinois prepsters finished in the top 40 in their respective genders. (via chicagotribune.com)

Cheserek held off a late charge by Zeinasellassie after a back and forth battle nearly the whole way.  Seidel was able to make a break with 300 to go after Finn led the race for close to 2.5 miles.  Great races all around from all the athletes!  (Photo by Don Rich)

Palatine senior Anthony Gregorio talks about the experience of Nike Cross Nationals.

Two years ago, they’d wake up around 5 a.m. for morning runs with their team. They’d trek the roads along the south farms of Urbana and put on an orange and blue uniform. (via www.dailyillini.com)

The girls race at Foot Locker Nationals is a little more wide open than the boys race, but there are still a handful of girls at the top who will be difficult to beat.  The top 3 returners from last year have all had great seasons and have proven they can race well under the pressure at Balboa Park. 

The boys race at Foot Locker Nationals has the potential to be a very special event.  The course record of 14:36 at Balboa Park has been held by Reuben Reina since 1985.  This record is in serious jeopardy as both Edward Cheserek (NJ) and Futsum Zenasellassie (IN) have been consistently under 15 minutes this year.  Photos by Victah Sailor/Photorun.net.  Center Photo by Don Rich.

The Palatine XC Club boys capped a spectacular season by running to a fifth place finish at the Nike NXN National Championship meet in Portland, OR on December 3. (via TribLocal)

The Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) brings together the best teams in the country and pits them against each other on the most unique course available.  Portland Meadows will once again play host to the championship battle and the manufactured course that traverses the interior of a horse racing track will have all the traditional features of European style cross country racing; including plenty of mud.

Twenty-two of the nations' top teams and forty-five of the best individuals will make the trek to Portland, Oregon for Nike Cross Nationals. The teams are comprised of two winners from nine different regions and four “At-Large” berths, decided on by a team of Nike consultants.